BondSt

Swimster and I went to BondSt after hearing about it from friends. The first time we went was later in the evening. And what we thought would just be a late cocktail hour, turned into a grub hour as well.
There are three levels to Bond St and I've eaten on all 3. The top level you get to by elevator, which the hostess takes up with you, a new experience for all of us. The ''ground" or middle level is up a set of stairs from the sidewalk. And the basement level, with its uber-trendy bar, is down a small set of stairs from the sidewalk. It feels as if all 3 levels are their own separate restaurants.
The basement is dark and lit by few candles, and seating is separated by tall white rectangular pillars. We sat on the white leather cubed stools and drank fancy lychee martinis, before we dove into a few samplings off the menu. *Eating downstairs is a little uncomfortable as you have to hunch over to eat your food.* I felt a little self-conscious with the crowd. We were served by models, we sat next to models, too bad we didn't eat like models. Just plan on wearing your hottest and newest duds to BondSt. The downstairs is a hip hang-out spot on Friday and Saturday nights so without reservations, don't plan on getting a spot, or plan on waiting for at least an hour. I take this back, if you're planning a dinner at BondSt on any night of the week MAKE RESERVATIONS.
Menu Memorables: seaweed salad for the table to taste, next time I would probably go with the mixed greens salad with its irresistible ginger carrot sauce; the spicy tuna rolls are served with an amazing spicy mayo, that I try to order everywhere I go but it never holds a candle to that of BondSt, and the sushi itself is crisp on the outside and moist in the middle, without being soggy (a problem I find with most sushi I try); lobster tempura roll, I'm not even the biggest lobster fan (my mom says it's so un-American of me) but this tasted so good it couldn't be lobster; soba zushi is a buckwheat noodle roll with blue crab, I would definitely recommend to the crab nut in the group (which was me in our party); hot eel dice (best unagi I've ever had) glazed in a sweet soy sauce; sesame crusted shrimp, a crispy blend of light batter and juicy shrimp made for heaven on a fork (I melt for anything sesame); broiled Chilean sea bass, marinated in a light miso sauce, was sweet and sour; the pan seared arctic char (I would order to contrast the sea bass) is the dessert of fish entrees, a soft white fish that tastes like cake and the mere thought of it makes my head spin.
With every roll you order at BondSt your tastebuds will be going wild with the uniqueness of every bite. You will not find what I like to call "balance bar sushi" here. Often with balance bars you can't taste the difference from one flavor to the next (key lime or cranberry? who knew!) This is not possible with the quality of sushi you will encounter at 6 Bond Street .
Prices are pretty steep at BondSt, which is the only drawback for me. If it weren't for the expense I would eat here probably once every couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I cannot. Though after trying BondSt I am scarred for life. And with every delivery or takeout order of sushi I make in the city I am now considerably disappointed. With the cheapness comes the lesser quality sushi, and alas...everybody can't be Bond...

Click here to reserve through Open Table






*they even have non-sushi items on the menu for those who have family members like myself who won't go near it*
6 Bond St. (SoHo/NoHo/Little Italy) between Broadway and Lafayette St.
212-777-2500